I’ve Been Reincarnated as the Childhood Friend of a Doomed Heroine. Since I Don’t Want to Get Caught up in Her Bad Ending, I’ll Make Sure She Ends up Happy
“So, I’d like to ask your opinion about something that happened.”
Monday, the start of the week.
I was asking questions to two reliable people in the art room.
One was Ujiya, a tall guy who looked like he’d be popular with girls.
The other was Kisa, a bubbly, outgoing gal who seemed really good with people.
The subject of my questions, needless to say, was what Shinori had told me last weekend on the way home from school.
The plans she’d dumped on me like a parting shot.
What the hell was that all about?
Golden Week started this week, so holidays were scattered here and there.
That plan was looming tomorrow.
I just needed to talk to someone, so I brought it up with these two friends who happened to be around.
Needless to say, they were both grinning.
Their expressions screamed delight, clearly plotting to use me as their next joke.
“That’s definitely a date, no matter how you look at it.”
“Yeah~. It’s so obviously a date it’s scary. And honestly, I’m surprised Shino-rin would make such a bold move. It’s super interesting.”
I knew it, but I was being treated like a toy.
Still, I wanted to hear someone else’s opinion besides my own.
Because I wanted it to be some kind of mistake…
By the way, Akito wasn’t here.
It’s cleaning time anyway, and Ujiya just happened to be hanging around.
Still, I really messed up.
I knew my likability was skyrocketing, but I never imagined she’d actually ask me out one-on-one.
Where did I take the wrong turn…? But dwelling on it is pointless.
Unfortunately, I have no clue what the true path for a background character like Toyono Kyota is supposed to be.
At this point, I’m probably messing up every single choice by meddling with the protagonist.
“Don’t wanna go?”
“Well, being told it’s a date kinda weighs on me.”
“Why not? Hanesaki-san’s cute, isn’t she?”
“But she and Akito seem to be getting along well, right? Even if it’s just a casual hangout, I feel awkward about it.”
Half of that was genuine, half was just me covering up.
Hearing my words, the two exchanged glances and started agonizing.
Apparently, this kind of conflict is common in the popular girls’ circle.
Ujiya especially knows about Akito and Shinori’s relationship, so he probably finds it hard to take my side.
So, even though I waited for some brilliant idea, no real solution came up.
This is a real problem.
Making the wrong choice here could get us killed.
“You guys are on cleaning duty, right? Move your hands instead of your mouths.”
While we were having that conversation, a voice cut in from the sidelines.
Unusually, Yukimi had come out front today.
We’d ignored her since she’d been silent, but she seemed fed up with our talk.
She suddenly glared at us, so we reluctantly started moving our hands.
“…I have no idea what Hanesaki’s thinking,”
Ujiya said with a wry smile as he swept up dust with his broom.
“Well, that girl doesn’t say much in class either.”
“That’s because the group that was in the classroom until recently was bullying Shinorin, right?”
“Speaking of which, I heard Ami and the others are transferring schools. Was that Toyono’s doing?”
“Huh?”
“It’s the rumor going around. That Toyono, who’s crazy about Hanesaki-san, put a stop to the bullying and made them leave school.”
A chill ran down my spine.
No one but me and Shinori should know about that.
How did it reach Ujiya’s ears?
“Where’d that rumor come from?”
“Heard it secondhand, so I don’t know. Probably one of Ami’s group spilled it, though?”
“……”
That was the only plausible explanation.
I hadn’t made them sign a non-disclosure agreement during negotiations either.
I never imagined they’d go and blab, “We got taken down by some nerdy otaku named Toyono.”
Don’t they feel pathetic?
They’re just a nuisance whether they’re here or not.
Just as we were talking, a loud thud echoed through the classroom.
Everyone turned around in shock to see Yukimi slamming her fist down on a desk.
It was an unmistakable desk-punch, executed with perfect form.
“You plan to ignore me? Toyono Kyota.”
“……”
Apparently, she was furious because I hadn’t responded when she’d scolded me earlier.
Seeing Yukimi, who seemed to have touched a nerve, the two girls moved away from me.
They picked up their things and backed away with smiles.
“Well, we’ll be off then~”
“Oh, okay. Tell me more about your conversation with Hanesaki san later. See ya!”
“Hey! Cleaning time isn’t over yet!?”
They probably didn’t want to get dragged into trouble.
Well, that makes sense.
No one wants to stay in a room where the notoriously terrible young lady has lost her temper.
Me included, of course.
“…Hehe. Now it’s just the two of us.”
I rolled my eyes at Yukimi’s ominous remark.
—Hey, I’m just a background character, right?
Then why do so many heroines keep interfering with me?
And why do they even know my full name?
Today, too, it looked like I’d be getting home late. I slumped my shoulders.
Maiban